McRae was born in Harlem, New York, on the 8th April 1920, and studied piano as a child. As a teenager she came to the attention of Teddy Wilson and his wife, the composer Irene Kitchings Wilson. Through their influence, one of McRae’s early songs, "Dream of Life", was recorded by Wilson’s longtime collaborator Billie Holiday.
By the late 1940s she was well known among the modern jazz musicians who gathered at Minton's Playhouse, Harlem’s most famous jazz club, where she was the intermission pianist. But it was while working in Brooklyn that she came to the attention of Decca’s Milt Gabler. Her five year association with Decca yielded twelve LPs.
The musicians she sang with include Benny Carter, Mercer Ellington, Count Basie, Sammy Davis Jr, Dave Brubeck, and Louis Armstrong. She was married once (and briefly), to drummer Kenny Clarke.
McRae died on the 10th November 1994.
The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
Carmen McRae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tho' you say it isn't so
You say that your at home when you phoned me
And how much, you really care.
Tho' you keep telling me that your lonely
I'll know if someone is there!
Cause the night, has a thousand eyes
And a thousand eyes, can't help but see,
So remember when you tell those little white lies
That the night has a thousand eyes.
But if you put me down for another
I'll know, believe me
I'll know
Cause the night has a thousand eyes
And a thousand eyes can't help but see
If you aren't true to me
So remember when you tell those
Little white lies that the night
Has a thousand eyes
One of these days you're gonna be sorry
Cause your game I'm gonna play
And you'll find out without really trying
Each time that my kisses stray
That the night has a thousand eyes
And a thousand eyes will see me through
And no matter what I do
I could never disguise
All those little white lies
Cause the night has a thousand eyes
So remember when you tell those
Little white lies that the night
Has a thousand eyes
The Night Has A Thousand Eyes is a song about suspicion, mistrust, and lying. The opening lines of the song describe how the singer's lover has a reputation for being unfaithful, and although they have denied it, she is still suspicious of them. The following lines suggest that the singer's lover is lying to her when they claim to be at home, as she knows that the night has a thousand eyes and someone will see them if they are not where they say they are. The singer is warning her lover that she is aware of their deceitful ways and is not easily fooled.
The chorus of the song repeats the warning that the night has a thousand eyes, meaning that there are many people and things that can reveal the truth about someone's actions. The singer tells her lover that if they cheat on her or deceive her in any way, she will find out, and it will be impossible for them to keep it a secret. She warns them to be careful with the little white lies they tell, as they will eventually be caught.
The final verse of the song suggests that the singer is not afraid of her lover's infidelity and is prepared to play their game. She knows that her kisses will lead her to the truth about their deceitful ways, and she is confident that the night's thousand eyes will see her through. The message of the song is that lying and cheating always have consequences and that eventually, the truth will be revealed.
Line by Line Meaning
They say that you're a run around lover
People claim that you cheat on your partners.
Tho' you say it isn't so
Although you deny the accusations.
You say that your at home when you phoned me
You claim to be at home when you called me.
And how much, you really care.
And how much you really love me.
Tho' you keep telling me that your lonely
However, you keep insisting that you feel lonely.
I'll know if someone is there!
I'll know if someone else is there with you!
Cause the night, has a thousand eyes
Because the night has many watchful eyes.
And a thousand eyes, can't help but see,
And all those thousands of eyes can't help but see.
If you aren't true to me!
If you are not remaining faithful to me.
So remember when you tell those little white lies
Therefore, please remember when you tell those innocent-looking lies.
That the night has a thousand eyes.
That many eyes are watching, and the truth will be found out.
But if you put me down for another
But if you break up with me for another person.
I'll know, believe me
I'll know without any doubts,
Cause the night has a thousand eyes
Because so many people are keeping an eye out.
And a thousand eyes can't help but see
And each one of those eyes will see everything.
If you aren't true to me
If you do not stay loyal to me.
So remember when you tell those
Therefore, please keep in mind when you tell those innocent.
Little white lies that the night
Lies that seem like no big deal.
Has a thousand eyes
That numerous people are keeping a close watch.
One of these days you're gonna be sorry
Someday, you'll realize your mistakes.
Cause your game I'm gonna play
I'll play the same game as you.
And you'll find out without really trying
You'll find out with very little effort.
Each time that my kisses stray
When I kiss someone else.
That the night has a thousand eyes
That the night has many watchful eyes.
And a thousand eyes will see me through
And all those thousands of eyes will see through me.
And no matter what I do
No matter what I try to do.
I could never disguise
I could never hide.
All those little white lies
All those seemingly small lies.
Cause the night has a thousand eyes
Because so many people are keeping an eye out.
So remember when you tell those
Therefore, please keep in mind when you tell those innocent.
Little white lies that the night
Lies that seem like no big deal.
Has a thousand eyes
That numerous people are keeping a close watch.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SNUFF GARRETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Antonio Jiménez
Se agradece esta versión en modo suave de Carmen, casi Bossa Nova, dirigida por Don Sebesky o Peter Matz. Muchas gracias!
Al D
Such an underrated singer! What a great voice!
Marlise Israel
@Mark Bridwell Yes
Mark Bridwell
I never regarded Carmen McRae as "underrated" _ _ she seemed to be the Queen of the hill , in the jazz scene for a long time .
Clyde P
Sounds like this might be a recording made later than 1948
Bill Bickley
Great .................................Bill Bickley